Torre Fiume (Watching River-Tower), commonly known as "Four Towers", was a fortress that protected a freshwater spring against Turks and Saracens.
Nowadays we can admire only its four large corner bastions. The tower communicates to the south with Torre dell'Alto in Portoselvaggio Park and to the north with Torre Santa Caterina.

History

Originally it was called "Torre del Fiume di Galatena" (Tower of the Galatena River), because a freshwater spring flowed alongside the fortress. It was built to ensure that Turks did not approach the coast to stock up on drinking water, essential for their feats. The water supply, for those who had to sail for a long time, represented a vital source so, for this reason, they knew the coast perfectly, in particular the areas where there was water and, after the supply, they continue to hunt for ships in transit or prepare the attacks to the populations near the coast.

The detailed project of the Tower, was drawn up by the architect Giovanni Perulli from Lecce, charged by Sacra Regia Provinciale Audienza Hidruntina, and it was delivered on November 22, 1595 to Angelo and Giovanni Vincenzo Spaletta from Nardò, respectively father and son. The works lasted for more than ten years, also because of many disagreements with the Royal Court (there was the suspicion that the assignees used poor materials, with the probability of collapse) and the conflicts in the Spalletta family.

Finally, the tower was finished in 1606. Probably the central part collapsed because of the Nardò Earthquake which occurred on February 20, 1743.
In 1820 the tower was in a very bad state and abandoned. After the Second World War the internal structure was emptied and used for other purposes.